Developed by Molly Keck, IPM Program Specialist, Bexar County AgriLife Extension
RELEVANCE: Surveys and evaluations provided through The National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) have indicated that United States students rank poorly in the knowledge of science and math. Most students are not being prepared for a world that is shaped by science and technology. According to Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) report, the United States is ranked 17th of 34 countries (average) for science skills. Science education is vital to students because it increases critical thinking skills, essential to an educated community. By providing teachers means with which to encourage science learning in schools and developing curriculum that interests students, the Elementary Insects Program is accomplishing these goals.
The target audience for this program included elementary educators and youth, grades 2nd-5th.\
RESPONSE: A total of 3,339 youth were reached in 2,922 contact hours through 88 educational programs. An additional 24 youth participated in an Entomology Summer Camp (432 contact hours) and 21 educators participated in the Insects in the Classroom: Teacher Training (378 contact hours). Texas AgriLife Extension in Bexar County developed the following activities to address the issue of science education:
- Wonderful World of Insects Curriculum (January 2010-November 2010)
- Elementary Insects Curriculum (June, July, October, November 2010)
- Insects in the Classroom Teacher Training (July 2010)
- Entomology Youth Summer Camp (July 2010)
- Junior Master Gardener Teacher Training (July 2010)
- Texas AgriLife Extension Spring Break Camp (August 2010)
- One on one assistance with educators requiring entomology related youth curriculum
- 4-H Friends and Alumni Foundation Special Projects mini grant
RESULTS: Educators who received the Wonderful World of Insects Curriculum were evaluated with a three question survey. Twenty three educators returned the evaluation. Educators who participated in the Insects in the Classroom Workshop were administered a pre and post evaluation to determine gain in knowledge and also a retrospective post evaluation to determine their perception of knowledge gained. In addition, students who attended the Entomology Summer Camp and received the Elementary Insects “What’s the Buzz About Bees” Curriculum provided a pre and post evaluation to determine knowledge gained.
Wonderful World of Insects Youth Education –
100% – agreed that the program was beneficial to students
96% – agreed that the program supplemented lessons taught or will teach in class
100% – agreed that the material taught helped satisfy TEKS objectives
Insects in the Classroom: Teacher Training Workshop: Overall 100% of participants were mostly or completely satisfied with the activity, 95.2% plan to take actions or make changes based on the information from this activity, and 36.8% anticipate benefiting economically as a direct result of the activity.
Table 1. Percent value of participant’s perception of their level of knowledge as a result of the Integrated Pest Management Adult Education Program.
|
Perceptual Knowledge Based Change |
Increase in Knowledge |
Moved up 1 level |
Moved up 2 levels |
Moved up 3 levels |
| Understanding of Entomology |
90.5% |
63.9% |
28.6% |
0% |
| Understanding of Making an Insect Collection |
95.2% |
28.6% |
52.4% |
14.3% |
| Understanding of Insect Lifecycles |
76.2% |
61.9% |
14.3% |
0% |
| Understanding of How to Use Insects in the Classroom |
81% |
28.6% |
47.6% |
28.6 |
Pre and Post tests were also administered to educators. Overall there was a 39.8% increase in knowledge and an increase in knowledge in the following topics:
64.9% – understanding of the term entomology
63% – understanding of lifecycles
30.5% – collecting insects
20% – insect morphology (spiracles, mouthparts, exoskeleton)
Entomology Youth Summer Camp: Overall increase in knowledge was 12.3% and increase in knowledge in the following areas:
77% – insect collections
29% – beneficial insects
13% – insect lifecycles
5% – understanding of insect morphology
5% – insect communication
3% – understanding of the term entomology
3% – understanding of the exoskeleton
What’s the Buzz About Bees? Elementary Insects Curriculum: Overall increase in knowledge was 63% and increase in knowledge in the following areas:
105% – bee communication
90% – colony makeup/dynamics
56% – bee morphology
39% – differences between Africanized bees and European honey bees
9% – importance of bees
For more information on this program or others like it, please contact Molly Keck at Bexar County Texas AgriLife Extension (210)467-6575 or mekeck@ag.tamu.edu